Panagsogod Festival is a cultural and religious festival in Sogod, Cebu, Philippines every July 25. Its calendar of activities coincides with the yearly fiesta in honor of St. James the Apostle, the patron of the town.
Panagsogod Festival is one of the cultural fests in Pasigarbo sa Sugbo. It won 3rd place in 2024.
Etymology
Panagsogod Festival comes from sogod, a Cebuano word that means start or beginning, and from which the name of the town is derived.
According to oral lore, the town of Sogod is said to be the starting post of Christian mission to the north of Cebu island. Alternatively, it is also a demarcation line that separates the white sand beaches of the north from the gray shores of the south.
History of Panagsogod Festival
Panagsogod Festival debuted within the term of Lissa Marie “Moonyen” Durano as municipal mayor in July 2008. It was organized as the town’s official cultural fest that showcases local culture and heritage, a move that was encouraged by then governor Gwen Garcia.
The fest, according to Durano, was to “start anew and give thanks. We believe the festival will usher in more blessings for Sogod and its people.”
Devotion to St. James the Apostle
Catholicism in the town of Sogod began during the centuries-long colonization at the hands of Spanish conquistadores. A parish was erected on July 31, 1832 and it was placed under the patronage of St. James the Apostle.
The stone church was badly damaged at the height of the Second World War. Subsequent repair works were completed on January 16, 1963.
Panagsogod Festival Activities
The schedule of Panagsogod Festival consists of religious and secular activities. Holy mass, mass wedding, and novena prayers are held in the days leading up to the festival proper.
Secular activities organized by the local government are concerts, parade, street dancing, beauty pageants (Festival Queen), trade, and many others.
References
- History. Municipality of Sogod. Retrieved September 2, 2025
- Celebrating The Panagsogod Festival Of Sogod. Municipality of Sogod. Retrieved September 2, 2025
- Suroy na sa Sogod! Cebu Provincial Tourism. July 23, 2024. Retrieved September 2, 2025
- Mitchell Palaubsanon. Sogod launches Panagsogod Fest. The Philippine Star. July 2, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2025
- Daniel Drake Galan. Try Sogod. The Philippine Star. October 17, 2015. Retrieved September 6, 2025
Panagsogod Festival Summary
Name Panagsogod Festival Celebration Culture, Religion Church St. James the Apostle Parish Church Country Philippines Date July 25 Email lgu_sogodcebu@yahoo.com Established July 2008 Facebook web.facebook.com Founder Marie “Moonyen” Durano Location Sogod, Cebu Organizer Municipal Government of Sogod Patron St. James the Apostle Religion Roman Catholic Website sogodcebu.gov.ph
| Name | Panagsogod Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion |
| Church | St. James the Apostle Parish Church |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | July 25 |
| lgu_sogodcebu@yahoo.com | |
| Established | July 2008 |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Founder | Marie “Moonyen” Durano |
| Location | Sogod, Cebu |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Sogod |
| Patron | St. James the Apostle |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | sogodcebu.gov.ph |